>> it's amazing to me that you can stand here having voted 4 trillion dollar deficits for the last of four years, the largest, fastest debt increase in american history and say we have to control spending. you've done nothing to control spending over the last four years. with respect to cut, cap, and balance, it's amazing to me that the idea of cutting wasteful spending, capping the ability of congress to spend money we don't have, and balancing the budget is extreme. i think it would force congress to set priorities and stop funding things like solyndra and to prioritize things like social security, medicare, and education. that's why i support a balanced budget amendment to the constitution. >> the race to succeed retiring new mexico senator akaka is just one of the key house or senate government races you can follow on c-span.org. -- house, senate, and governor races. >> "washington journal" continues. host: we are highlighting key battleground states of campaign 2012. today we put a spotlight on iowa. joining us from des moines is a senior political writer with the associated pres